DOMINION DEFENCE

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVI, Issue 95, 18 May 1938, Page 3

DOMINION DEFENCE

THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS AIR FORCE, NAVY AND ARMY. DARGAVILLE, Last night. The defence activities and proposals of the Government were outlined in an address to-day by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones). Mr Jones dealt with the problem from three aspects, Air Force, Navy, and Army, the chief proposals being:— NAVAL. (a) The introduction of a more progressive policy for the training' of naval reservists. (b) The provision of suitable craft for local defence in times of emergency. (c) The establishment of an instructional centre at Auckland enabling a reduction in the number of men at present sent to Australia for higher training. (d) Naval barracks to be built to take the place of the old training vessel Philomel. AIR FORCE. Orders placed for five twin-engined Airspeed Oxford ’planes. Orders placed for 30 VickersWellington aircraft, costing £750,000. Territorial squadrons at Wellington (formed), Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. Increase in personnel to 900 by 1940. ARMY. Further mechanisation. Modern equipment. Special holidays for Public Service volunteers to allow them to attend annual camps.